User's Manual - Drake Software

5 Return Preparation
This chapter focuses on using Drake to produce Form 1040 and the supplemental
forms, schedules, and other documents that might be part of a tax return. It is not
intended as a tax course but, rather, as a primer for using Drake Software to prepare a
1040 return. It assumes a fundamental knowledge of tax law and a basic understanding
of Drake data entry. If you are not familiar with Drake data entry, read Chapter 3,
“Basics,” before attempting to prepare a tax return in Drake.
Screens 1 through 5 of the program provide fields for entering data directly onto the
1040. Because many lines on the form require calculations from other forms and
schedules, some of the fields in screens 3, 4, and 5 are treated as overrides or adjustments
to program calculations from elsewhere in the program.
Taxpayer Demographics
Screen code: 1
Selecting a Filing Status
Use screen 1 (Name and Address), accessible from the General tab, to enter data for
the top section of a Form 1040, including the taxpayer’s name, mailing address, and
filing status. Screen 1 also has fields to indicate contact information and other relevant
details of the return.
Select a filing status from the Filing Status drop list at the top of screen 1. Press F1 in
the Filing Status field to view explanations for the available codes.
Entering Taxpayer Information
The taxpayer’s name is entered when you create the return. Other important taxpayer
data, such as date of birth, occupation, and contact information (phone numbers and e-
mail address) for the taxpayer (and spouse, if applicable) is entered on screen 1. Note
that not all fields in the Spouse column are activated if the filing status is something
other than “Married Filing Jointly;” fields that are activated should be completed.
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